Shape-retainer for hats.



Nb. 731,703. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903. G. T. NAPTEL.

SHAPE RETAINER FOR HATS.

APPLICATION FILED 00123. 1902.

N0 MODEL.

Wibmawo;

g No. 731,703.

Patented June 23, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE T. NAFTEL, OF MACON, ILLINOIS.

SHAPE-RETAIN ER FOR HATS.

srncir'rcnrron forifiing part of Letters Patent No. 731,703, dated June 23, 1903.

Application filed October 28, 1902. Serial No. 128,397. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLARENCE T. N AFTEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Macon, in the county of Macon and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shape-Retainers for Hats,

of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an improvement in shape-retainers for hats, particularly for use in connection with that style of hats commonly called fedoras, for retaining the crease thereof.

The invention contemplates the provision of a retainer provided with a longitudinallyarranged central opening through which the crease of the hat may be passed and laterally-extending wings for sustaining the sides of the hat, which slope downwardly from said crease to the brim of the hat.

The invention also embraces the idea of providing means associated with the retainer for displaying suitable identification marks or characters.

Novel details in the construction and rangement of the several parts of the device will be apparent from the detailed description hereinafter when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming part I hereof, and wherein a preferable embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawing the figure is a perspective View of the retainer.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, A A are oppositely-disposed parallel wires I looped together at one end, as at a, and proover the arms or wires A. By this arrangement a sliding engagement is provided,which permits an adjustment of the device to a certain extent lengthwise, as is obvious. To

sustain the sides of the hat, it being understood that the crease thereof passes through the space 0, I provide the laterally-extended wings D, which may also be conveniently formed of wire, looped together, as at d, and having the oifset eyes (1 at their ends arranged to slidably engage the arms B B to permit of the adjusting of the device before referred to. Intermediate portions of the wings D are bowed outwardly, as shown. The portions (1 and d are preferably fixed and are secured together by the bent-over end 6 of a spring-supporting arm E, arranged to fit between the front of the hat and its sweat-band to maintain the retainer in proper position within the hat. A similar support E is secured to the portion 1) at the other end of the device and is arranged to be inserted between the rear portion of the hat and the sweat-band.

An approximately S-shaped plate F for identifying marks or characters is 'removably secured to the retainer by having its flanges ff fitting over one arm A and wing D, the height of the plate being somewhat shorter than the distance normally between said arm and wing, so that when the plate is applied the spring action incident to their tendency to separate will prevent accidental detachment of the plate.

While a particular construction .has been shown in the drawing for the sake of illustration, it is, however, not the intention to be limited to the details therein disclosed, except in so far as any such limitations are defined in the appended claims, because slight changes and alterations in such construction may be made without in the least departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. A shape-retainer for hats comprising parallel arms separated to form a longitudinally-disposed unobstructed opening there through through which the hat-crease may be passed, and laterally-arranged wings carried by said arms for sustaining the sides of the hat; substantially as described.

2. Ashape-retainer forhats comprising ad- 3' ustable sections having a longitudinally-disposed opening therebetween through which the crease of the hat maybe passed, and laterally arranged wings for sustaining the sides of the hat, said wings having a sliding engagement with one of the adjustable sections; substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. A shape-retainer for hats having a longitudinally-disposed opening into which the hat-crease may be inserted, and a supportingarm connected to each end of the device, the free ends of said arms being arranged to be inserted between the front and rear portions respectively of the hat and its sweat-band; substantially as described.

4. A shape-retainer for hats comprising parallel arms forming a longitudinally-disposed opening therebetween, laterally-disposed wire Wings connected to said arms, in combination with a plate of the character described flanged at its top and bottom to engage one of said arms and wings and be held in place thereon; substantially as described.

5. A shape-retainer for hats comprising parallel arms forming a longitudinally-disposed opening therebetween, laterally-disposed wire wings connected to said arms, in combination with a plate of the character described flanged at its top and bottom to engage one of said arms and wings and be held in place thereby, the height of said plate being slightly less than the normal distance between said arm and wing whereby va spring action is caused between the same and the flanges of the, plate; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE T. NAFTEL.

Witnesses:

F. R. GOODE, D. B. CAMPBELL. 

